The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12

ChlNoIslty '............. l'ff1 W.
1-2O Mill Tax..........- s.jJ.O 2ll,5G59i
S13s,5s.Ol
State Normal School . Soj.7OUi
Mining School, u. P. 10000
soldiers Homo. ....... ljJ Ni % $500, 600 90
Fish Commission. 81 $500
State Library, purchase
of books ............. c.0OOG0 COCO 90
State Officers and State
Government. 49,. 1,iol77i.1o 1.55O,OOO,OO
Michigan Superntond-
ents of the Poor 80. 5000 800 90
Pioneer Society ....... 5000
The establishment OF mn Institution for the
care and education Of the fschle-minded is
recommended TO your thoughtful, consideration.
Many OF these are susceptible II great inn
provement and their unfortunate condition
commends them TO the sympathy of the hui
name. In the poorhouses Of the State and in
families, may be found nearly one thousand
feeble-minded Of varying degrees Of afilct. on .
TAXATION.
Slowly but surely taxation increases, and this
is rendered the more burdensome because with
the great mass of taxpayers the ability to pay
diminshes. In many instances tho tax
amounts to moro than the net income of the
property taxed. High taxes necessitate high
rents and higher interest and in this way re-
acts upon those whose names do not appear
upon the assessment rolls. Such taxation bears
heavily upon agriculture. The farmers proper
ty is all in sight, and cannot escape assess
ment.
Thus. while they pay their own Just taxes n
portion Of those which ought to be borne by
others is also included in their assessment
twice as much Of the products OF the farm to
pay the aggregate taxes il did eight years
ago. 1t is IL duty we owe to the people of the
State To use all lust means in our power con-
sistent with the welfare of the State, to reduce
the burdens Of government and secondly, To
| revise the tax laws so as to more equally adjust
the burdens
1t will afford me great pleasure to co-operate
with you in devsing ways and means TO reduce
the expenses of State and local government and
of equalizing taxation Our system of govern
DrOXila
bunals for the adjustment of differences be-
tween citizens. For this purpose our judicial
system provides Justice probate circuit, SUI
preme, and municipal courts These all an
expensive necessity, but the large part OF the
expense is incurred in the maintenance of our
circuit courts and much of it in the trial OF
trivial cases that have been appealed from JUS
tice courts. The public furnishes these tribu-
nails ut an expense often ten times the amount
| i'll controversy
In this there is neither Justice nor good sense
and most respectfully urge the passage of a
| bill that will prevent an appeal from n justice
| court to the circuit court when the judgment
| does not exceed the sum of twenty-five dollars
We have high judicial authority for saying that
| this can be done without conflicting with the
constitution any principles of justice. Crime
| and criminals impose endless expense upon
| the State, and every effort should be made tC
! prevent the commission Of crime and the null
| tiplicatCn of criminals.
| To this end it il hoped that the law will be
amended so that the age of female infants con-
| sent sha be increased from ten years of age tc
| ut least fourteen. InlS subject ls one attract
| ing much attention and thought in this country
| and in Europe 1t is believed that the change
| indicated would prevent many from entering
| the paths of crime, and should il fail in this
| respect humanity demands its enactment.
CONCEALED WEAPONS.
We are reminded by an almost every day
| occurrence that the habit now so prevalent oil
carrying concealed weapons brings to our atten
ton the news Of murder manslaughter and
| accident Not alone men, but boys of all ages
| are ready upon the least proyocation TO use the
| deadly Wa school
| boys 60 to their duties ana lessons armed. The
custom should be prohibited by the most strin
gent legislation; nn,v, ,,,o,.rrxc
with or without gloves, is another debasing and
| degrading practice that is alarmingly on the
| increase. These brutal exhibitions and then
publication are demoralizing and instigAtors OF
crime, and should be prevented by more strict
| onactments.
The fun enforcement Of the laws relating t.
the sale of intoxicating drinks, especially e
minors and confirmed drunkards, would dc
much 10 lessen crime, and relieve oyerburdened
| taxpayers.
| We have thirty Circuit and Superior Courts
in the State. In each of these at least twenty
| four jurors are summoned To appear at every
| term of court. The jury system is revered as
being one Of the great safeguards Of liberty
| handed down 70 Us from ancestors and any
change here suggested is made with deferenct
| 70 il. The Constitution of Michigan wisely il
my opinion provides that tho Legislature may
authorize n trial by jury OF a less number thar
| twelve men,
| The plan OF reducing the nu1nDer 10 SIX nai
been tested in justice courts with such salts
| faction that there is no general demand for IN
| increase in the number required.
| With our general education, certainly six mel
| are as competent TO try cases, civil and Grim
| inal. in our circuit courts, were twelve mel
when the great necessity of trial by jury gave
birth to our present system.
1t is not difficult matter to declare tina
economy must be practical, and unnecessary
burdens removed. But have also endeavoreC
TO point out and recommend 20 your favorable
| a SDpcilC
reduction ard the means by which such object
may be accomplished.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXES
IL is n conceded fundamental principle that q
far as possible every ind ustry, business ant
property interest should bear its Just proportion
of tho public burdens and OF taxation. And We
it would 5. elm that marked exceptions preson
themselves To our notice in our present system
wisely, think, has provision been made q
collect by specific tax, payable into the Stat
treasury, the assessments TO be made upon rail
roads and other branches OF industry where 10
cal taXat on would lead TO serious results.
But, though the system be wise, IL would seen
that the inequality Of the burdens resting upol
the two classes Of property, viz, that subjec
20 specific and that liable to local taxation
calls for readjustment by legislation at you
hands
1t is clearly demonstrated that property pay
ing specific tax has increased in value as rapid
| ly "a ether property subject TO local taxation
but there has not been corresponding increas
| in tho specific taxes collected.
| Complaint is also, believe Justly made tina
some classes Of personal property escape thei
share Of public burdens
This inequality seems TO arise from tw
causes one. that the laws regulating the OF
fetal conduct Of assessing officers is not sui
ficiently stringent, and the other being an ab
| sence Of provisions compelling full and jus
statement Of certain classes of personal prop
erty by it's owners.
ClThese apparently wel-foundcd complaint
| demand your careful thought ard action, and
is earnestly hoped such inequalities may DO col
rected by wise and appropriate legislation.
SURPLUS IN TREASURY OF STATE INSTITUTIONS
To meet the current expenses of the asylum
revenues are derived from three sOurccs-froI
the State, from counties, and from individuals
For the purpose Of determining the amour
I to be paid for each patient, estimated upon
weekly basis. the boards of the several asylum
meet annually in Joint session and agree upo
the same. and tho sum so fixed II collected fror
tho several sources above named. That porto
paid 10y the State IL for the support of what mr.
known as state patients. That portion receive
from counties being such as they become liabl
TO pay for brief periods, under the present Law
and that portion borne by individuals bein
such rs comes from patients whose expense
are borne by themselves or their friends.
From these various sources have come no
only sufficient funds To meet the expenses
the asylums, but there has accumulated sui
plus in their hands which, Mt the date Of the
last reports, was us follows In the hands
L n Aatr